Author: Community Contributor

Bilingual report — Metrolink’s Tips for Holiday Train Travel with Kids

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

Traveling with children is an adventure in itself, so this holiday season Metrolink is sharing a few tips for smooth travel with children on our trains.

Plan where you’ll go in advance. There are many holiday event destinations accessible by Metrolink trains. The EXPLORE page on our website shares many of this season’s best. Pro tip: Metrolink has free and convenient connections to many transit agencies throughout our service area, including L.A. Metro, making it easy to travel car-free.
Purchase tickets with ease. Download the Metrolink mobile app to a smart phone to easily access routes, schedules, fares and stress-free purchases all in the palm of your hand. Pro tip: up to three kids ride free on weekends with a paying adult, and with the Weekend Day Pass, the adult fare is just $10 all day, anywhere we go.

American Veterinary Medical Association Gives Prestigious Stamp of Approval to Ventura College’s Veterinary Technology Program

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

Ventura College’s veterinary technology program is less than two years old and already has been granted initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This recognition signifies the success and rigor of the young program, as graduates will now be qualified to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become Registered Veterinary Technicians.

The accreditation process involves detailed evaluations by the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and is designed to ensure veterinary technology programs produce practice-ready graduates. Students are required to demonstrate competency in over 300 essential skills that span all sectors of veterinary medicine and involve hands-on skills working with over 10 species of domestic animals.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services Call for Sponsorships for ‘Festival of Hearts’ on Feb. 4

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

We are excited to be holding our biggest fundraiser event of the year in person again! This year we will also be hosting a preview event online, as well as the in-person event.

Thank you for considering sponsoring our Festival of Hearts event, raising funds for low income seniors through our HEART program (Helping Elders at Risk Today)- for those who want to attend our program and are in need of financial assistance.

Simi Valley Will Soon Become a Quiet Zone

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) announced this morning at the Metrolink Station in Simi Valley that $4.5 million in funding was secured in the 2022/2023 State Budget for local improvements. The funding will allow completion of safety enhancements at the one remaining rail crossing that was not part of a previously approved and funded Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Project.

“With this funding, trains passing through Simi Valley will no longer have to blow their horns creating a “Quiet Zone” while also improving safety,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “I am glad I was able to secure this funding for our community that will ensure that the safety of the public is prioritized and businesses and residents living adjacent to the tracks will no longer be disturbed by the sounding of train horns.”

Ventura County Animal Services — $40 dog, and $55 cat adoptions this weekend only!

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

December 9-11, 2022 is National Adoption Weekend and Best Friends Animal Society is celebrating by sponsoring a part of all dog and cat adoption fees with Network Partners! Adopt a dog or cat during this promotion and pay only a $40 fee for a dog adoption, and $55 for a cat adoption. View all of our pets online at www.vcas.us/pets and learn more about our adoption process at www.vcas.us/adopt.

Thank you and we hope to see you at the shelter!

Santa Paula Art Museum — Meet John Galan + Creative Gift Ideas

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

MEET THE ARTIST

Artist Talk: John Galan

Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 2 PM
Included with regular admission (free for SPAM members)

Meet artist John Galan at the Santa Paula Art Museum on Saturday, December 10. Galan will lead a 45-minute talk and tour of his popular exhibition, Remedios (Remedies), starting at 2:00 PM. Galan will share the stories behind his deeply personal works, which are on exhibit now through January 8, 2023. Plus, one lucky attendee will take home a print of one of Galan’s artworks! Reservations are not required.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Centering LBTQ+ Women, Nonbinary Health’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Alison Cerezo leads a program evaluation team for California’s $17.5 million LBTQ Health Equity Initiative.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Official Final Results and Certification Announced for November 8, 2022 General Election

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn today announced the official election results certification for the November 8, 2022 General Election with 100% of Ventura County’s 1,640 precincts reporting. A total of 284,013 ballots were cast in this General Election: 89% of the ballots were cast by Vote-By-Mail ballots and 11% were cast in person at County Vote Centers. Ventura County had an overall voter turnout of 56.2%. This Election plus the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election complete the first full Voter’s Choice Act (“VCA”) Election cycle for Ventura County.

Full election results from Ventura County are available on the VenturaVote.org website. Statewide contest results are on the Secretary of State website: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/

Ventura County Fire Dept. announces Prescribed Burn Pile Training

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Fire Department, in cooperation with Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) District will be conducting a small live fire training exercise on December 9th at a ranch located off of Hidden Valley Road in Thousand Oaks.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Businesses receive over $12m in State loans

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Three Ventura County businesses were recently approved for 4%, fixed-rate loans totaling $12,739,000 through the Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program. The RMDZ is a statewide program consisting of 40 zones, and is administered in Ventura County by the Ventura County Public Works Agency.

SBCC begins search for next Superintendent/President

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has opened the application process for hiring the next Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Superintendent/President. Recruitment will be open through January 20 with a goal of having a new president start in summer 2023. SBCC has been led by Interim Superintendent/President Kindred Murillo, Ed.D. since September 2021.

People’s Self-Help Housing — Your support is needed!

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

At one of our ten Learning Centers, 62% of students began the academic year two or more grade levels behind their peers. By the end of the year, only 5% of students were still two or more grade levels behind.

Also greatly improved was the number of students reading at or above grade level: increasing from 10 to 42%.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Extending the Spectrum’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Researchers create visible-to-near-infrared-light lasers on silicon chips, paving the way for scientific and consumer applications.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Rec Master Plan, Point in Time Count, Vaccinations and more

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The County of Santa Barbara Rec Masterplan Workshop
All are welcome to join a Virtual Public Workshop for Parks, Recreation, and Trails Planning for the County of Santa Barbara
Thursday, December 8 at 5:00 PM

The Comprehensive Plan provides goals and policies to guide land use and development, and the Land Use Development Code (LUDC) regulates development consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. This existing recreation policy framework is outdated and no longer reflects current and future parks, recreation, and trails needs.
The County is developing potential amendments to its recreation policy framework to guide the long-term provision of parks, recreation, and trails in unincorporated areas. These amendments will provide goals and policies for park and recreation projects and support for the implementation of the Countywide Recreation Master Plan, which is currently under development.

The County is seeking public participation in the development of new goals and policies for parks, recreation, and trails, including:
Parks serving local neighborhoods and communities
Sports fields and courts
Community centers and recreational facilities, including pools and aquatic centers
Trails for hiking, biking, and equestrians
Coastal access and beaches
Camping and low-cost overnight accommodations
Rural and agricultural recreation and agritourism
Equitable access & recreation for all
Sustainable recreation
Community health and active living
Public-private partnerships to support public recreation projects

We invite everyone receiving this notice to spread the word about this important opportunity to participate in recreation planning for the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County.

Historic $10.4 Million to Electrify Auto Terminal Will Make the Port of Hueneme the First West Coast Port to Offer All-Electric Plug-in Capable Wharfs

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The Port of Hueneme received $10.4 million in funding from Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to help build shoreside power plug-in infrastructure on its North Terminal. The Port also recently received state and federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to implement innovative technologies to increase electrification efforts, track air quality progress, and further reduce particulate matter. These environmental wins benefit the Port and its surrounding community.

Oxnard College Men’s Soccer Wins California State Championship

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The Oxnard College Men’s soccer team won the California State Championship Title in a match against defending champions Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) on Sunday, Dec. 4, with a final score of 2-1. The competition was held by the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and hosted by American River College in Sacramento. Oxnard College last appeared in the state championship in 2015 when its Condors defeated Evergreen Valley College to claim the title.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA Offer Winter Camp

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

hool break in the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and in Moorpark.

Camps provided by the Simi Valley Family YMCA and the Yarrow Family YMCA will include STEAM learning, group games, sports and holiday arts and crafts. Overseeing the camps are qualified staff who are CPR and first aid trained.

Simi Valley camps are at Atherwood Elementary and White Oak Elementary YMCA daycare centers. Dates are December 27 to 30 and January 3 to 6.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

SBA: 8(A) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

December 6 @ 10:00 am

Join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to increase your potential for federal contract opportunities through the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program. The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is a nine-year program created to help socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to—and succeed in—the federal marketplace. Businesses that participate in the 8(a) BD Program receive training, technical assistance, business development services and exclusive access to reserved federal contracting opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions related to this program. Find out if your eligible! SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Three Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Board Members Start New Terms

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

Three incumbent Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) Board members were sworn in at the district’s November 28 board meeting to serve new four-year terms. Returning board members are Jane Nye, Janna Orkney and Ray Tjulander.

All three board members were scheduled to be up for re-election in November but since there were no additional candidates, state law states that in lieu of an election, incumbents who filed nomination papers are to be seated and serve new terms.

“I’m honored to continue to represent Triunfo Water & Sanitation District customers for another four years,” says Director Nye who has served on the board since 2020 and is currently board vice-chair. “We strive to protect the environment and maintain public trust and confidence as demonstrated by the Las Virgenes/Triunfo Pure Water Project. The Pure Water Project is an important step to assure that everyone in our community has a safe, drought-resilient and sustainable source of potable water.”

Ventura County Community Development Corp. celebrates 2nd annual awards ceremony

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

We recently held a very special celebration at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo to honor four important leaders who have inspired our work and four award winners who are making significant contributions in our community. Together with our friends and supporters, we enjoyed a wonderful evening filled with heart-warming stories and inspirational award presentations.

We were honored to have Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, as our keynote speaker. Also joining us for the festivities were our emcee David Cruz, a longtime TV and radio host, and Jasmine Padilla, VCCDC homeowner and board member, who delivered a powerful client testimonial. The crowd gathered included many VCCDC sponsors, our four award recipients and their friends and families, and family members of those honored with the naming of the four VCCDC leadership awards.

November/December 2022 Friendly Finch Friendship Center’s Bi-Monthly Newsletter

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

During the holiday season our families and friends often ask how they can show their appreciation for the care, compassion and commitment of our exceptional staff.

Since our staff cannot take contributions directly, we have established a holiday fund which gives you an opportunity to thank the staff by making a monetary contribution.

We accept voluntary contributions all year long, yet most people think of giving during the holiday season. If you would like to contribute, please send a check with a note on the memo line: “Friendship Center Holiday Fund.” Contributions by check, or by cash, can be dropped off at the center or mailed to us by December 31st. Your gift is distributed in the New Year with recognition of all families and friends who have contributed.

Ventura County Office of Education releases Education Report

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to present the 2022-2023 Ventura County Education Report to the Community. This 20-page magazine highlights the many opportunities and services schools are providing to students as we emerge from the pandemic.

It’s full of personal stories from students and staff who are part of impactful programs like career education, dual language immersion, special education, and more.

Miller YMCA Youth & Government Delegation Makes Lunches for the Homeless

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

Members from the Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegation made over 200 lunches that were then delivered to Hearts of Compassion in Montebello to help feed the homeless.

This is the ninth year that the YMCA delegation, comprised of Newbury Park high school students, has volunteered to make lunches.

The Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegates are in 9 through 12 grade at Newbury Park High School and other local high schools. They are part of a statewide program of 90 delegations that learn about how government works while they prepare, introduce and debate bills in Sacramento at an annual conference in February.

MICOP receives generous grant from The Fund For Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Fund for Santa Barbara (The FUND) on Nov. 7 awarded Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) $10,000 to support our labor justice, youth development and language access programs in Santa Barbara County. The FUND will allocate a total of $103,000 to local nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County as part of their annual Fall General Grant Cycle.

MICOP is extremely grateful for The FUND’s focus on social change and civic action to support its organizing efforts. “Funding organizing efforts to create meaningful change is not easy to get in Santa Maria, our work relies on foundations that know this and make an effort to support, that is why we appreciate The Fund for Santa Barbara.” said Ana Huynh, MICOP Santa Maria Program Director.

Bilingual commentary — The Power of Baby Steps in Our Lives

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Initially, I was going to title this article “Decluttering Our Lives, Part II.” But I changed my mind and decided to use a more intriguing title.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Herculean task of decluttering my life. I came to a point where I felt a need to rid my life of all the unnecessary “things” that no longer contributed anything to my plans or goals at this stage of my life. I promised to share some of my insights into actually accomplishing this. Of course, not everyone will want to declutter their lives the way that I do. But many of us want to do something to alleviate the “mess” that we find ourselves in. We just have to choose our own path that will take us to DeclutterLand.

CSUCI ASSET Scholars Program marks another successful semester after being named a ‘Program to Watch’ by Excelencia in Education

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

After being named one of 10 nationwide “Programs to Watch” by Excelencia in Education, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Academic Student Success Excellence Team (ASSET) Scholars Program just served another 150 students during the Fall semester with plans to add more in Spring of 2023.

The ASSET Scholars program has so far served 722 students since it was launched in Spring of 2020 and was named a “Program to Watch” during the Fall 2022 semester.

“I personally feel proud of the work we’ve done,” said Channel Your Success Project Director Mónica Ocampo, Ed.D. “It was a program intentionally designed on a very personal level for the students at CSUCI to improve retention rates and close equity gaps.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum Announces Book Launch and Celebration for Newest Literary Work from Author and Tribal Elder Alan Salazar on Feb. 4

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is delighted to announce that it will be hosting a celebration and book launch on Saturday, February 4, 2023, for the new book Coyote Saves Hawk by local author and tribal elder Alan Salazar “Puchuk Ya?ia?c.”

Coyote Rescues Hawk is based on a Chumash story dating back at least 300 years. Mr. Salazar brings humor and insights from twenty-five years of experience in bringing back the traditional Chumash canoe culture to a tale sure to delight readers of all ages. Mr. Salazar will be on hand for storytelling and book signing, followed by time for questions and answers from the audience.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Liking’ is Believing’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Research shows that the more ?’s people get when retweeting negative fake news stories, the more they agreed with its content.

Registration now open for inaugural World AIDS Day Program & Candlelight Vigil in Santa Paula on Dec. 1

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Registration is now open for the inaugural World AIDS Day Program & Candlelight Vigil in Santa Paula from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula.

Presented by the HIV/AIDS Coalition of Ventura County and sponsored by Caliber Home Loans, Diversity Collective Ventura County and GILEAD.

Bilingual report — Bruce Stenslie Celebrates 15th Year as EDC President and CEO

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Meet EDC’s President and CEO, Bruce Stenslie

Bruce Stenslie started with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) as the President and CEO in 2007. He has over 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development serving as the Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association, Workforce Policy Director for the City of Los Angeles, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board.

Two Channel Islands plant species reach recovery thanks to Endangered Species Act protections

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Two plants that live on California’s Channel Islands and nowhere else on earth – the Santa Cruz Island dudleya and island bedstraw – have reached recovery thanks to Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to remove the two island plants from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.

“The recovery of these island plants is the result of long-term cooperation and conservation efforts by scientists and land managers,” said Paul Souza, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “That’s what the ESA can bring to the table – attention, resources, and incentive for sustained conservation work that produces meaningful results.”

Rotary Club of Montecito awards grants to 11 community organizations

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

The Rotary Club of Montecito Foundation has awarded a total of $11,000 to support the work of 11 Santa Barbara-area nonprofit organizations.

The grants awarded under the Foundation’s annual Community Grants Program were $1,000 each and go to organizations benefitting a wide range of constituents, including children, seniors, low-income families, and animals. All grants are funded by bequests and ongoing contributions from Rotary Club members.

“Rotary Club members are committed to raising funds for good causes, and supporting activities and projects that make our communities stronger,” said Montecito Rotary Club Foundation President Bruce McRoy. “These grants allow us to support a wide variety of services to our community and are a great example of the cooperative spirit that’s an essential part of Rotary’s work.”